OUR TEAM

Depth of Experience | Experts in their Fields | Team Players

David D’Onofrio

Dave’s career spans nearly three decades, marking him as a seasoned veteran in the world of communications, government, and community relations. His expertise isn’t just limited to crafting and executing comprehensive campaigns; he excels in navigating the complex arenas of crisis management, strategic communications, event promotion, government relations, and direct public outreach. Dave’s approach is both macro and micro; he handles overarching strategies for his clients while maintaining a grassroots touch, sometimes literally going door-to-door to rally support.

His portfolio is as diverse as it is impressive. He has skillfully managed a wide array of projects, ranging from nuanced regulatory issues to ambitious proposals worth billions. Notably, he has held the position of Communications Director for Virigina’s major political party as well as countywide political organizations, including several positions in Loudoun County’s political operations, showcasing his leadership and political acumen.

Dave’s journey began in the political heart of the nation, Washington D.C., where he honed his skills working for notable trade associations like the Can Manufacturers Institute and the National Small Business Association. He further refined his expertise at The Mills Corporation before taking the entrepreneurial leap to start his own firm.

Ben Kelahan

Ben has over two decades of experience in federal, state, and local legislative advocacy experience. His specialties are coalition building, voter analyses, grassroots organizing, government relations, community engagement, and political consulting.

Ben is also the current Chairman of The Advocacy Group (TAG), which brings together top-tier lobbyists nationwide to exchange best practices and compare client issues. He is also the founder and executive director of ReNew Mexico and co-founder of Western Freedom, two Western coalition-based organizations fighting for legislative and regulatory changes within the energy sector.

Ben began his career in public affairs and government relations, working in the state activities and legislative affairs divisions of a major national trade association, followed by managing legislative campaigns in 14 states.

Jason Rufner

Jason has won multiple Virginia Press Association awards during his 15-year career as a sportswriter for the Loudoun Times-Mirror, the Prince William Times, and various other Northern Virginia newspapers, then became the Creative Developer for VIP Sports & Entertainment in Ashburn, Va., devoting four years to increasing public awareness and excitement for a planned stadium venue in Loudoun County.

Jason began working for The Casey Group in 2016. His duties have included managing media requests, advising on strategic responses to foster positive sentiment, and crafting custom-tailored communications (including media-placed articles, social media posts, brochures, and press releases) to control and reinforce the client’s brand, messaging, and narrative.

A Northern Virginia native and Virginia Tech graduate, Jason is responsive, adaptable, and fluent in written Spanish. He and his wife reside in beautiful Front Royal, Virginia, just steps away from the Appalachian Trail.

Chelsea Norman

Chelsea Norman is a successful senior political advisor with over a decade of experience in political organizing, electoral, legislative, and issue campaigns.

She has been a senior director of field and digital operations since 2020. She has extensive experience designing and running campaigns to build support for various initiatives.

Previously, she was the national field director at major grassroots organizations in Washington, D.C., where she worked to mobilize grassroots and stakeholder constituencies around the country to move legislation and help elect candidates up and down ballots.

She also served as the statewide community organizer in Massachusetts, where she co-authored, championed, and achieved passage of several bills while working at the local level to mobilize residents in support of their initiatives.

Kate (KB) Briefs

Kate Briefs is a seasoned community engagement expert with a foundation in campaigns and community organizing. Kate builds community and voter support for projects and initiatives in multiple states and jurisdictions.

KB has served in various roles in numerous campaigns, including working state-wide in Texas for a major Presidential candidate. A highlight includes being the campaign manager for a Tennessee Delegate’s primary and special election victory. Her organziation and attention to detail is paramount to her successful campaigns.

KB lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and holds an undergraduate degree in women’s and gender studies from Keene State College, complemented by a MED in community development and action from Vanderbilt University.